The Guardian Whats On – 22 August 2026

Summary

"It's all too ugly" — The Guardian What's On 22-28 August 2026 asks its writers to name the shows they can no longer stomach, from House of Cards and America's Next Top Model to The Office and Euphoria, producing a cover feature that is part confession, part cultural reckoning with the programmes that once defined our viewing habits. The issue covers TV listings for the week of 22-28 August.

The cover feature rounds up 13 shows that multiple writers now find unwatchable, each with a short essay explaining why. Entries cover The Apprentice, America's Next Top Model, Good Omens, The Office, Married at First Sight, This Life, I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, The Great British Bake Off, Entourage, Euphoria, Coupling, House of Cards, and Dog Park. The Dog Park review by Rhik Samadder highlights the new drama about midlife loneliness and community connection.

Daily TV and radio listings fill the back half with broadcast schedules for the week. The issue functions as both a commentary piece on changing TV taste and a practical weekly guide.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Feature / Reviews / Listings

It's all too ugly — The shows we can't stomach any more
Thirteen writers explain which once-beloved shows have aged past the point of enjoyment. House of Cards is called out for post-Spacey discomfort, America's Next Top Model for its body-shaming judging, and The Office for cringe humour that no longer lands. The Great British Bake Off draws criticism for over-produced contestant backstories. Viewers curating their own watchlists can use the "still worth it" alternative recommendation at the end of each entry — Dog Park is the unanimous replacement pick for anyone missing peak-era Office.

The Apprentice
The writer argues that the boardroom format has become a grotesque celebration of bad management. The essay cites specific season 18 tasks that ended in deliberately unfair firings. Business-school students can contrast the on-screen leadership style with the management theory reading list printed in the margin.

Euphoria
The entry argues that the show's shock value has worn thin by season 3 and the visual style no longer compensates for thin plotting. The writer names specific scenes that crossed from provocative into gratuitous. Teen-drama writers can use the critique as a checklist of tropes to avoid when pitching new series.

Married at First Sight
Criticism focuses on the show's duty-of-care record with participants. The piece mentions specific aftercare complaints from former cast members. Reality TV producers should review the safeguarding recommendations at the end before casting their next series.

Dog Park — review
Rhik Samadder reviews the new Channel 4 drama about adults finding connection through their dogs in a South London park. He calls it the most honest portrayal of middle-aged loneliness since Detectorists. Viewers in their 40s who feel invisible to television should start episode 1 tonight.

Daily TV picks 22-28 August
Seven-day listings with recommended programmes per day, including broadcast channels and times. Each day features a mix of drama, documentary and comedy. Streamers can find the daily on-demand column for shows available without a live tuner.

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Editor's Take

The cover feature is a genuinely provocative concept — getting writers to publicly reject shows they once loved requires editorial nerve, and the Dog Park review that closes the piece offers a constructive "watch this instead" solution. The weakness is that at 13 entries, some essays are only 50 words deep, making the feature feel more like a listicle than proper criticism. This issue is for TV fans who enjoy meta-conversations about what we watch and why we stop watching it.

Strengths
• Honest critique of 13 major shows with specific examples
• Dog Park review provides a positive alternative recommendation
• "Still worth it" alternatives at the end of each entry

Weaknesses
• Most entries too short to develop a proper argument
• No writer bylines on individual entries weakens accountability

Verdict: Selective read — the concept is better than the execution; three or four entries are genuinely insightful, the rest are filler.